TOKYO, Japan, September 12, 2013—Canon Inc. has successfully captured video footage of Yaeyama-hime fireflies flying in darkness, a feat made possible by the high-sensitivity 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor developed by Canon for video capture that was announced in March 2013.

The high-sensitivity, low-noise video-shooting capabilities of the dedicated 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor1 for Full HD video capture were made possible not only through the integration of the high-performance sensor technologies employed in Canon’s digital SLR cameras, but also through the incorporation of new pixel and readout circuitry technologies that reduce noise.

Using a camera prototype equipped with the CMOS sensor, Canon, in cooperation with ZERO CORPORATION,2 succeeded in capturing video3 of the Yaeyama-hime fireflies that inhabit Japan’s Ishigaki Island, located off the northeastern coast of Taiwan. No artificial lighting was used during shooting, which took place after sunset amid the island’s mountains. Despite an exceptionally dark shooting environment4 of less than 0.01 lux, a level in which the naked eye would have difficulty discerning surrounding objects, the CMOS sensor was able to capture not only the color of the light emitted by the fireflies, each of which measures only a few millimeters in length, and their movements, but also the surrounding vegetation in which the species lives. Plans call for the footage to be used to benefit future research into the Yaeyama-hime firefly.

In addition to astronomical and natural observation, Canon is looking into applying this CMOS sensor to medical research purposes as well as surveillance and crime-prevention equipment. Through the further development of innovative CMOS sensors, Canon aims to expand the realm of photographic possibilities while cultivating the world of visual expression.

Could we now please, pretty please, have new sensor technology in a Canon camera that we can actually buy?

Sorry Dekker: "This footage was shot using the 35mm full frame CMOS sensor announced by Canon in March 2013 which was developed by the company exclusively for Full HD video capture. Through continued technological development, Canon aims to expand the realm of photographic possibilities while cultivating the world of visual expression."

Looks like it's ready for video (duh) but that they're still to incorporate it into a sensor intended for stills as well as video. Hopefully won't be long

"CMOS sensor features pixels measuring 19 microns square in size, which is more than 7.5-times the surface area of the pixels on the CMOS sensor incorporated in Canon’s top-of-the-line EOS-1D X and other digital SLR cameras. In addition, the sensor’s pixels and readout circuitry employ new technologies that reduce noise, which tends to increase as pixel size increases."

I doubt Canon's leading edge video sensor will be restricted to 1080p.

You doubt it? Even in the face of the clear fact that this particular sensor is in fact a "Full HD" (1920x1080) video sensor?

This sensor, as they state, is being developed to optimize low light video... as stated Canon "is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research, and use in surveillance and security equipment."

Whatever new technologies they develop for reduced noise readout electronics could potentially be used in future higher resolution video and still sensors, but that's not what this sensor is about.

I doubt Canon's leading edge video sensor will be restricted to 1080p.

You doubt it? Even in the face of the clear fact that this particular sensor is in fact a "Full HD" (1920x1080) video sensor?

This sensor, as they state, is being developed to optimize low light video... as stated Canon "is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research, and use in surveillance and security equipment."

Whatever new technologies they develop for reduced noise readout electronics could potentially be used in future higher resolution video and still sensors, but that's not what this sensor is about.

1080p only ... I missed that. Low light use is good too, I hope to press on with other video specific improvements

Great news. Hope Canon will relase an equivalent product aiming at 5D/1Dx type bodies. We might see some revolutionary releases once a new 1Dx or the 5Div get announced, or maybe in their overnext product cycle...5 DV by 2018?

Despite an exceptionally dark shooting environment4 of less than 0.01 lux, a level in which the naked eye would have difficulty discerning surrounding objects, the CMOS sensor was able to capture not only the color of the light emitted by the fireflies, each of which measures only a few millimeters in length, and their movements, but also the surrounding vegetation in which the species lives.

yeah thats great! ... But Canon comon how many people are going to professionally shoot in near darkness?

R&D have lost the plot seriously.

how about releasing a preview showing a 40MP 16bit tiff file showing decent DR and sharpness (without stupid sharpening and NR) to gat a massive ahhhh from your base buyers and fans, against what people are suspecting.. ie 40MP next year with same DR and MP that is soft because of outpreforming lens's capabiities, and just more MP not seriously better sensors.

How many C300s EOS Cines are actually sold vs 5D IIIs, 1Dx or even 1Ds IIIs ? Maybe there is so much more profit margin in video cameras .. but I doubt it really compared to the amount of pro & semi pro stills cameras.......